According to The Onlinetradesmen service, the average cost of a painting and decorating project is €1750. In Dublin, the average daily rate for a painter and decorator is €195, while outside of Dublin, it averages €150.

A day rate for a painter and decorator ranges from £250 to £400. This rate will vary based on your location and the experience of the tradesperson. If you want to hire a painter and decorator by the hour, you can expect to pay an hourly rate of £35.

A dry rag is a good, quick way to tell if a painter has done a good job or not. If a painter has primed and painted correctly, you should be able to touch the freshly painted surface with a dry rag without leaving any paint on it. The last things you want to see on your freshly painted walls are paint drips or streaks.

If your contractor is a professional, they likely have a very good idea of how long the job will take them and how much it will reasonably cost. That doesn't mean that there's absolutely no leeway, however. According to an “Ask The Expert” column on money.com, you absolutely can negotiate with a contractor.